These passages cover the time from the last days of King David through the beginning of the reign of King Solomon and the building of the temple.  Two passages of scripture really stood out to me today.  The first is when David is giving over charge of the kingdom to his son Solomon.  Here are the words of wisdom he shared with his son in 1 Kings 2:2-3:

² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, show yourself a man, ³ and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…”

The second passage that stood out to me takes place after David’s death as Solomon was beginning his reign.  The Lord went to Solomon in a dream and told him he could have anything he asked.  Solomon didn’t ask for fame, or riches, or even a new iPad.  He asked for wisdom.  Solomon said, “…give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9)  Obviously Solomon was already a pretty wise man to make that sort of request to the Lord.  His request pleased the Lord so much that the Lord gave him wisdom, riches, and honor.  Solomon became one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

Father’s Day was this past Sunday.   In most cases there is nothing a father wouldn’t do to protect his children. In the scripture passages today a father’s relationship to his son was put to the test. One of David’s sons, Absalom, had gathered his own troops and was trying to kill his father and take over.  Through it all David wanted to do everything possible to spare Absalom’s life. It grieved David very much when he found out that Absalom died. The love of a father is strong.  It amazes me that even though Absalom wanted harm to his father, David still cared so much for Absalom.  How much more does our Heavenly Father care for us – though we dishonor Him with our sin?  I’m deeply grateful for my Heavenly Father loves me.

One of my favorite lines in today’s reading is 2 Samuel 6:21b-22.  Here David is justifying to his wife (Michal) why he was dancing around naked before the Lord.  He says, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.”  I love the idea of putting our own pride aside and giving glory to God and not ourselves.  David was willing to become humiliated for the Lord.  Sometimes it takes being a little undignified for us to remember where we fall in line…God is the one who is to be respected…it’s not about us.

Though David was a good king and loved the Lord, he wasn’t perfect.  Just yesterday in our reading we saw how Saul sinned and lost his reign over Israel.  By the end of the passages today (in chapter 11) we see it happening to David too.  Everything is going great and then…Bathsheba.  David gives into temptation and makes a series of horrible choices.  His sin is a reminder to us all of how quickly we can get off track.  I’m so glad that in the end he learned from his mistakes and turned back to God.